The statement was strong — and clear — on the grounds of East Middle School Friday morning, when 7th and 8th graders placed 800-some "pinwheels for peace" in the front lawn near the school sign.

Made simply with straw and paper, then decorated in each student's unique way, the pinwheels demonstrate the message of "peace in the world, peace in our own lives and peace at East," said Beth Iatrou, East Middle's art teacher, who brought the idea to the school.

"We're always looking for ways to promote peace," Iatrou said. "With what's going on in the world, this (project) led to small group conversations about peace. With this public display, it's a way to show off the line: 'Imagine Whirled Peace' — and it's a nice message to start off the school year."

The Pinwheels for Peace project supports Sept. 21's International Day of Peace, she said.

Despite having cool wet grass and hard soil to deal with, students were eager to set up the display as sunrise gradually lit the sky overhead, shortly before 7:30 a.m.. "This is going to look so cool," said seventh-grader Zoey Nwamgale.

Her classmate, Emma Hahn, agreed. "And I think it's great, to support peace in our community and peace in our school," she added. "Of course we want world peace, and this helps us remember how lucky we are to be living mostly in peace right now."

Ramin Mourad, another East seventh-grader, said the assortment of colors and designs students chose for each of the pinwheels can be seen as representing individuality and diversity among themselves. "I guess it kind of shows that everyone is different," he said.

And seventh-grader Bryanna Worthy described the project as "really cool."

"I think it's a really good experience, and it really (promotes) world peace, and makes it feel like home here," Bryanna said. "I used pink on my pinwheel because the color represents 'no bullying.' I've been bullied, so I know how it feels."

East Middle School teacher Mary George said having the students participate in "Imagine Whirled Peace" was a great way to tie in the message with the visual arts.

"This is a concrete representation that shows we stand for safety and peace in the world," George said.